Malnutrition and dehydration among the adult population is a serious issue. It affects the health and wellbeing of a large number of people and has a significant associated cost.

Recognising this problem, Dorset has created a partnership of Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole, Dorset NHS, Public Health Dorset and many of the key players in the field. Working together, the partnership has looked at available evidence and best practice and developed a strategy to address the problems.

The partnership specifically wanted to make the strategy concise and easily understood by all who read it. It's not purely written for professionals but for anyone who has an interest in this subject.

Nutritional Care Strategy for Adults

The centrepiece of the work of the partnership is the Nutritional Care Strategy for Dorset Adults. This aims to make a real difference to the problems of malnutrition and dehydration in Dorset's adult population.

Malnutrition and dehydration

Poor nutrition and hydration at home as well as in care homes and hospitals has been frequently highlighted in recent years.

Statistics show that, in general, malnutrition affects 23% of people under 65 and 32% of people over 65. It's more likely to affect older women than older men. In the UK, 3 million people are malnourished or at risk of malnourishment; 93% of these live at home.

One in three people admitted to hospital have been found to be suffering from malnourishment and every ten minutes, someone in the UK dies with malnourishment in hospital.

Nationally, 37% of those admitted to care homes, and 45% of those admitted to nursing homes, have been found to suffer from malnutrition.

Malnutrition costs the UK £13 billion per annum and will lead to 2.1 more GP visits and 3 times more hospital admissions.

In Dorset, the County Hospital Dietetic Department has estimated that, amongst those Dorset residents over 65, there is the following incidence of malnutrition:

Incidences of malnutrition in Dorset residents aged 65 and over

Dorset residents aged over 65

Percentage of malnutrition

General population

14%

Sheltered housing

12%

Receiving care at home

25%

Care home residents

32% to 42% of residents on arrival

The Malnutrition Task Force is an independent group of experts across health, social care and local government, established in 2012. The aim of the Task Force is to reduce malnutrition in older people and so improve their health and quality of life as well as reducing unnecessary public expenditure.

Unintentionally losing weight - 'Build Yourself Up'

Unintentionally losing weight is as serious as being overweight.

If you're concerned that you, or someone you know, is losing weight without dieting, there are simple steps you can take to add extra energy to your diet to gain weight. While trying to put on weight, you should visit your GP to have a general health check up.

Weight loss and malnutrition resources

Losing weight is not always great

Losing weight is not always great (powerpoint presentation) - This is a 10 to 15 minute presentation that provides background information concerning malnutrition and dehydration. It also gives top tips on how to recognise and prevent malnutrition and dehydration. If you don't have Powerpoint facilities, the slides are available laminated. The presentation has its own script and can be presented by anyone to any audience.

Overweight/obese

General dietary information as well as advice on diet for particular circumstances

All through our lives it's important to eat a healthy diet to keep ourselves fit and well. When it comes to a healthy diet, it's all about one simple thing - a balance. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products, but limiting the amount of fat, salt and sugar. A balanced diet ensures that our body gets all the nutrients it needs while helping us to maintain a healthy weight. Sometimes healthy eating can seem complicated and expensive but it really doesn't have to be. Change4Life - Swap it don't stop it (or Easy read - Swap it don't stop it) has some helpful tips on eating a balanced diet without cutting out some of the foods you might enjoy the most.

Diet is very personal to the individual and many people will follow a specific diet due to personal beliefs and preferences. Also, many medical conditions can affect the nutrients we need and the types of foods we are able to choose to eat.

Drink more water

Almost two thirds of our bodies is water but most of us don't drink enough for best health.

We can't rely on our body to regulate the amount of water we drink - by the time you feel thirsty, you're already slightly dehydrated. Older people are particularly at risk because the sensation of thirst reduces with age.

The benefits of drinking enough include: a reduction in constipation, urinary infections, and headaches. It will also improve blood pressure and sleeping patterns. In general, you are very likely to feel better as a result of drinking more.

The general recommendation is to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. If this seems like a lot here are some tips to help:

water may taste better chilled

many people find it easier to drink water with a meal

squash or flavoured water is OK, but be aware of sugar content

skimmed or semi-skimmed milk is also OK, but be aware of the fat content

tea or coffee are OK but caffeine can cause dehydration: try decaffeinated instead

Ideally you should drink the recommended amount, but any increase will probably improve your health and make you feel better. Try it!